The legendary Ireland centre who retired in 2014 will join Shane Williams, Jeremy Guscott, Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallalgio in being added to the illustrious list on Thursday.

First, O'Driscoll will be on hand to launch Ireland's World Cup 2023 bid at the Aviva Stadium this lunchtime.

The retired captain will be joined by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other dignitaries as they unveil the plan to bring the tournament to these shores.

World Rugby awarded Jamie Heaslip the Try of the Year at an awards ceremony on Sunday, but the Ireland No 8 missed out on the Player of the Year award to Beauden Barrett.

Meanwhile, the IRFU yesterday announced a link-up with the famous university Notre Dame in which they will share knowledge with the institution with a view to growing the game in the United States.

Elsewhere, Billy Vunipola is a significant doubt for Saturday's match against Fiji with an injury described cryptically by England as "upper body soreness".

World Player of the Year nominee Vunipola is unable to train until Thursday at the earliest because of the mystery ailment sustained in Saturday's 37-21 victory over South Africa and a question mark hangs over his availability for the second November international.